War for Planet of the Apes (2017) – USA

The finale of the highly successful and critical acclaim trilogy of Planet of the Apes reboot series show precisely how things should be reimagined. Don’t get me wrong, this is no easy journey or mindless summer blockbuster, the latest War is totally dark, bleak and only provides a glimmer of hope if any towards the very end. This is a total war, like history repeating itself, alluding the horrors of Vietnam war and concentration camps and natural disasters. War is not so much between the Apes and Humanity, but rather about a battle within their own self, reason for survival and question of coexistence.

Director Matt Reeves smartly interlink all these horrors and thematic moments into three long acts. The first act, we get an ambush, a possible peacemaking and jungle life for the apes. However, the 2nd act goes brutal and the murder of Caesar (played so well by Andy Serkis) by an army of surviving humans lead by the ruthless colonel (played excellently by Woody Harrelson). The final act is essentially the epic war that follows in the journey of self destruction.

Films like these makes you think and it’s though provoking nature extend way beyond after the film credits rolls. It leaves you wondering why they end up fighting, allows you to relate and allude to the current state of the world and ultimate the human condition. The acting is top notched and the CGI is almost outstanding as Caesar is so well acted that you cry and emote with him through his struggle and inner journey and discovery of hate and vengeance and how he managed to be consumed by it. Harrelson gives his best performance yet as the conflicted villain who is essentially acting out of his dire situation to exist. The duo confrontations provides the film greatest standoff.
See it on the big screen.